RA Agency (Reel Angels), known for championing female empowerment in the film industry since 2010, has announced the launch of its new roster of talented female directors.
Founded by Lulu Elliott, RA Agency specialises in providing top-tier Production Sound Mixers, Cinematographers, and Camera Operators for high-end TV drama and feature films, roles traditionally dominated by men.
A Bold Step Forward for Female Directors
The new RA Directors roster represents more than just a group of professionals; it is a movement aimed at showcasing the incredible talent of female directors who have honed their craft over the years. Each director also brings a wealth of experience, a unique vision, and a steadfast commitment to storytelling excellence.
“We are thrilled to introduce the RA Directors to the world,” said Lulu Elliott, Founder of RA Agency. “These six directors represent the strength, creativity, and resilience of women in the film industry. For too long, female directors, especially those from certain generations, have been unfairly overlooked and underrepresented. Why are women written off after 45? What does the industry miss out on? What do they bring to the directing table?”
The Current Landscape: A Statistical Overview
The representation of women in top directing roles remains alarmingly low. The number of women in senior roles fell by 5% between 2019 and 2022. Despite women constituting one in three directors, they receive only a quarter of director credits. Women are less likely to be employed on peak-time shows, which are generally more prestigious and have larger audiences.
Despite the commercial and critical successes of female-directed films, such as Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” which was the top-grossing film of 2023 and featured RA’s Production Sound Mixer Nina Rice, the industry still lags behind. A study by the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film at San Diego State University found that women comprised just 16% of directors on the 250 top-grossing films in 2023, a decline from 18% in 2022.
Mature female directors bring extensive industry experience, established professional networks, and a wealth of life experience to their roles. They offer emotional authenticity, diverse perspectives, cultural understanding, and a nurturing approach to actors. Additionally their proven talent, commitment to breaking barriers, excellent preparation, and proven longevity make them a low-risk, high-reward choice for film projects.
Accompanying the launch of the RA Directors roster is a social media campaign with the hashtag #nevermindthebollocks. This campaign is a clarion call to industry leaders, film enthusiasts, and the general public to recognise and appreciate the ‘overlooked’ generations of women directors.
